In a historic first for Fijian sport, the Fiji Women’s Under-18 National Handball Team has been invited by the International Handball Federation (IHF) to represent the Oceania region at the 2026 IHF Women’s Youth (U18) World Championship in Romania.
Handball Fiji says the qualification comes on the heels of the team’s impressive performance at the IHF Oceania Championship in the Cook Islands last October, where Fiji secured a hard-fought bronze medal.
The competition also saw standout performances from Elizabeth Colata of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School, who was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Highest Goal Scorer in the Youth category, highlighting the country’s emerging talent.
Handball Fiji President Sainimili Saukuru described the achievement as more than just participation.
Saukuru says this is a historic milestone and a breakthrough entry into global youth handball for women’s sport in our nation.
She says sending their young women to compete against the world’s best signals the emergence of a new generation of talented Fijian female athletes.
She says that to prepare for the elite competition in Romania, the team will follow a high-performance pathway, including intensive local training, participation in domestic competitions, and specialised preparation camps.
Handball Fiji has also launched a campaign to rally support from the public and corporate sponsors, aligning with Fiji’s broader goal of building pathways toward the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Officials say the athletes competing in Romania represent the foundation for future Olympic qualification.
Founded in 2016 and officially recognised by the IHF in 2017, Handball Fiji has steadily grown its programs.
Youth and junior teams have previously competed in tours to New Caledonia and the Cook Islands, helping lay the groundwork for this historic achievement.
Handball Fiji is now calling on Fijians nationwide to support the team as they carry the national colours to the global stage in Europe.
